You can drive before you licence is returned to you if DVLA has received your application. This means that you have either sent off the D27P form that comes from the reminder that DVLA sends when your disqualification is nearly over or the D1 form for new driving licence application. However driving before you receive your licence after disqualification is subject to the following:
- You are not disqualified from driving anymore (different rules apply for large vehicles or buses)
- You would not be refused a licence for medical reasons
- If your licence have special conditions, you need to adhere to them
- You've held a GB or Northern Ireland or any exchangeable licence issued since 1st January 1976
It's always better to call DVLA and ask whether they've received your application rather than assume they've already got it even if you sent it through registered post.